Mechanics plays a key role in our everyday life. Our body constantly touches, senses, and explores the external environment and skin, the largest organ of the body, is the main responsible for this interaction. At the same time, skin is the primary defense against pathogens and a barrier for the internal organs.

The latest research in biomechanical and mechanobiology fields has indisputably proven the strong correlation between healthy skin and its mechanical integrity. Moreover, several diseases are associated with impairment progression in skin microstructure and, ultimately, in its mechanical properties. As a consequence, the mechanical characterization of skin opens promising chances in improving health.

Motivated by this, the project started at ETH Zurich in 2016 with the ideation and development of the first research prototype. Two successful trials followed shortly after, showing the safety and efficacy of this method for the early detection of skin fibrosis and the monitoring of scar formation after burns.

The project then took off with support of the ETH Zürich Pioneer Fellowship in 2021, which laid the foundations for the company structure and advanced especially the economic side of the company. Also, in this time, many interviews with market leaders were conducted. Several LOIs showed the pressing need for the product. In the meantime, the technology was strengthened through an Innosuisse research grant in 2022, which aimed at advancing the sensitivity of the reasearch prototype to specific indications, thus widening the scopes for our market entry strategy.

After foundation of the company in 2023, the focus shifted from reasarch to product development. The first MVP was finalized in summer 2023, with a second version presented to customers in beginning of 2024.

Citus AG products

Citus - Aspiration Device